A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Thursday, March 21 at the former Commerce Center in downtown Paducah to mark the announcement that TeleTech Holdings, Inc., will use the building for a state-of-the-art customer service center, employing 450 people. (L-R) McCracken County Commissioner Jerry Beyer, Mike Stefanski, Vice President of Global Site Selection & Government Relations at TeleTech, County Judge-Executive Van Newberry, Todd Baxter, Senior Vice President of Global Operations for TeleTech, Gov. Steve Beshear, Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler, Tony Reck, Chairman of the Board, Paducah Economic Development, Chad Chancellor, President and CEO, Paducah Economic Development.PHOTO:Bill Hughes

Governor Steve Beshear presents a gift to Todd Baxter of TeleTech during the announcement that the company will open two customer service centers in Paducah, employing 450 people.PHOTO:Bill Hughes

Todd Baxter, Senior Vice President of Global Operations for TeleTech, tells those in attendance about TeleTech and the 400 jobs that will be coming to Paducah in early 2014.PHOTO:Bill Hughes

TeleTech's Todd Baxter presents a $5,000 check to Paducah Economic Development during the announcement that the company will open two customer service centers in Paducah.PHOTO:Bill Hughes

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TeleTech to Hire 450 Customer Service Jobs by 2014

By Bill Hughes

PADUCAH, KY - Gov. Steve Beshear was in Paducah today, joining local and company officials to announce that TeleTech is expanding its presence in Western Kentucky with a customer service center that will employ 450 people.

Colorado-based Tele-Tech is already planning to open a facility in Hopkinsville in the third quarter of this year that will employ up to 700 people. Two Paducah facilities will open in the first quarter of 2014. The recently renovated Commerce Center at Fourth Street and Kentucky Avenue will be used, as well as a new 30,000 square-foot building in the Paducah Commerce Park (formerly known as the Information Age Park).

Beshear attended the announcement Thursday afternoon at the Paducah Economic Development headquarters at 300 South 3rd Street, and said it's a great day when a city can celebrate a $9 million investment and the promise of 450 local jobs. He added that it's reassuring when a company decides to open a second operation in the state.

"That says that they like where they are, they are being productive and things are going well, and they want to grow and expand and stay where they are. And so TeleTech's choice of Paducah for a second operation shows that sign of confidence in Kentucky, in this region, and in Paducah and McCracken County and our workforce," Beshear said.

Beshear noted that TeleTech isn't getting tax incentives by opening a center in Paducah. He said the company is coming because they like the workforce and atmosphere for business in the area, and that is a compliment to the community.

Todd Baxter, Senior Vice President of Global Operations for TeleTech, said they are anticipating construction and hiring.

"I'm proud to be associated with the community, I'm looking forward to working with you guys, and I know that we will have information soon about how friends and family, and maybe people in this room can apply. We'd love to have a robust outpouring of support immediately as we get construction completed and get things ready to go. We're excited to be here," Baxter said.

County Judge-Executive Van Newberry told Baxter, "We are so pleased. This is the largest job announcement that this community has had in, I believe, generations. The people that made that possible have worked hard on that. You guys picked us for a reason, and we're not gonna let you down."

Mayor Gayle Kaler said "It takes partnership with all of the county leaders, our leaders, and our state leaders, and they all form that team that makes it work." She said this is one example of hard work, and how it's paid off for Paducah.

Kaler alluded that the governor has been working with another company, and another announcement should be coming soon.

Tony Wreck, Board Chairman of Paducah Economic Development reassured Baxter and Mike Stefanski, Vice President of Global Site Selection & Government Relations at TeleTech, that they made a good decision, saying that he moved to the area 27 years ago this week to help start P&L Railroad. Since that time their company has not looked back.

"I think you'll love it here, we'll do everything we can to make you love it here. It's a great community, Reck said.

Following the announcement, Baxter and Stefanski presented a $5,000 check to Paducah Economic Development.

Everyone then walked or drove a couple of blocks to the 4th & Kentucky Avenue location for a ceremonial groundbreaking. A reception was held at PED headquarters Thursday evening.

TeleTech has more than 43,000 employees at 50 customer service centers worldwide, and has been in business for 30 years.